Start this month: Sheet masks

Amongst Korea's latest imports (after Gangnam style, John Cho and BB cream), sheet masks shot to fame with a series of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Lindsay Lohan, taking to the face sheet selfie. And you don't have to get stress lines from trying to figure, because Vogue has you covered.

Less messy and more convenient than their conventional counterparts, traditional masks, "these create a seal or an occlusion which helps to boost the efficacy of the product being used, and prevent evaporation of moisture from the skin, keeping you well-hydrated", explains Dr Varun Katyal, Dermatologist & Cosmetologist, The Skin Centre.

Dr Sachin Dhawan, a Delhi based dermatologist, says these serum infused masks, are a good alternative to applying a serum to troubleshoot skin issues. Usually made with fabric or pulp, today, more effective and eco-friendly materials such as bio-cellulose, have been developed.

What they do: Sheet masks imbue your skin with the right ingredients to detox, whiten, hydrate or cleanse. "Choose masks with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, to reduce oil and kill bacteria on the skin surface, for acne, large pores and oily skin," Dr Dhawan advises. For skin tightening find a collagen induced mask, while for whiteness, reduction of pigments and removal of dark circles, look for masks with Vitamin C, E or A.

When: Easy to use, but expensive, these masks should be used judiciously, advice both doctors, before special events, or while flying. Otherwise, a once a week frequency is good. "Sold in packets, the mask is used best on clean skin for up to 20 minutes," says Dr Katya.

How: Cover all corners of your face: start at your forehead, cut out your eyes and cover cheeks. Lie down, watch a show or read a book for the next 20 minutes. Don't wash your face immediately after removing the mask. Let the serums stay on your face and wash after an hour.

When not to: Because of the heat generated or occlusion these masks get hot. In summers, use it in a cold room to avoid pimples getting aggravated. "This can also increase the bacteria count on the surface of the skin, causing acne", adds Dr Katyal, "So, if you are acne-prone or have oily skin, first test the mask on a small area on the face, preferably the side of the cheek and check for any breakouts, irritation or new blemishes before applying the mask on the entire face."